Syrian crisis: Latest developments

CNN Staff

5:30 PM, Aug 31, 2013

12:32 AM, Sep 2, 2013

WFTS

(CNN) -- Here are the latest developments for Sunday, a day after U.S. President Barack Obama said the United States "should take military action against Syrian targets" over its alleged use of chemical weapons, and said he will seek congressional authorization for the move.

U.S. REACTION

-- Lawmakers won't be back in Washington until September 9. But the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says it'll hold a hearing on Syria this Tuesday.

-- Authorities are tightening up domestic security measures. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are warning of a higher risk of cyber attacks after months of similar disruptions by hackers known as the Syrian Electronic Army.

DIPLOMACY

-- Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the time gained waiting for U.S. Congressional approval "must be used to reach a common position of the international community within the U.N. Security Council." In another tweet, he said that the results from the U.N. inspectors' visit to Syria "must be sped up."

-- France's prime minister will meet with the ministers of foreign affairs and defense, as well as other officials, on Monday to discuss Syria -- two days before an open debate on Wednesday, the government said. French Interior Minister Manuel Valls told Europe Radio 1 that France cannot act alone and needs a coalition.

INSIDE SYRIA

-- The opposition Syrian National Coalition said Syrian forces have started transferring ammunition and soldiers from military sites to residential areas as well as schools.

-- An official from the opposition Syrian National Coalition said the group is disappointed by U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to seek Congress' permission, which will result in further delay in action. "We can't understand how you can promise to help those who are being slaughtered every day in the hundreds, giving them false hope, then change your mind and say let's wait and see," Samir Nashar said.